The Entropy Effect

“I didn’t intend this evening to be compulsory. I have a feeling you had other things to do and I threw a wrench into them.”

“No, sir!” Sulu said quickly. “I was afraid we’d all been selfish in accepting, if you and Captain Hunter preferred more privacy—”

“Not at all. Well, I’m glad we got that straightened out. See you in the morning.”

“Captain—”

“Yes, Mr. Sulu?”

“That wasn’t what I wanted to talk to you about.”

Kirk started to ask if whatever it was could wait till they had both had some sleep, but something about Sulu’s manner stopped him.

Besides, Kirk thought, isn’t this a perfect opportunity to let him know his value to the ship? And to me? That’s a good exchange for a little time. And he doesn’t look in any state for peaceful sleep; something’s really bothering him.

“Why don’t you come up to my cabin, Mr. Sulu? We can talk over some brandy.”

“Thank you, sir.”

This time it was Kirk’s turn for blank astonishment. “A transfer?” he asked. “Why? Where? What’s happened to make you unhappy on the Enterprise ?”

“I’m happy here, Captain!” Sulu cupped his hands around the brandy glass. Above all, he wanted Kirk to understand why he had to take this step. The scent of the brandy, almost as intoxicating as the liquor itself, curled up around his face. “Captain, I have an unexceptional record—”

“Your record’s exemplary, Mr. Sulu!”

Sulu began again. “Serving on the Enterprise is a bright mark on anyone’s record. It’s the only thing outstanding about mine—and I think I must have got it by sheer luck.”

“Oh?” Kirk asked. “Do you think I choose my crew at random?”

Sulu blushed, realizing the tactlessness of his remark. “No, sir, of course I don’t. But I don’t know why you did pick me. My marks at the Academy were dead average ...” He paused, for his own disappointment in himself and his performance at the Starfleet Academy was an ache that had never faded.

“I didn’t just look at your cumulative marks,” Kirk said. “Moving around the way your family did was bound to leave you less well-prepared than most cadets. So every time you encountered a new subject you started out pretty nearly at the bottom of the class.”

Sulu did not look up. He was embarrassed, for that was true.

“And then,” Kirk said, “you got better and better, until you mastered the subject completely. That’s my idea of a potentially fine officer, Mr. Sulu.”

“Thank you, Captain...”

“I haven’t convinced you, have I?”

“I have to live with my record, sir. Whatever you saw behind it...”

“Your next captain might not?”

Sulu nodded.

“I think you’re underestimating yourself.”

“No, sir! I’m sorry, sir, but maybe for once I’m not. I love this ship, and that’s the problem. It would be so easy to stay—but if my name comes up on a couple of promotion lists, I’ll be promoted right off it. Eventually I might get a command position. But unless I distinguish myself somehow, unless I get as much experience in as many branches of Starfleet as I can, I’ll never be able to hope for more than command of some supply-line barge, or a quiet little outpost somewhere.”

Kirk hesitated; Sulu wondered if the captain would try to reassure him, or try to convince him that he did not understand how Starfleet worked and in which direction his career was likely to proceed.

Kirk looked at his drink. “There’s no shame in a quiet command.”

Sulu took a sip of brandy to give himself some time. “Captain, living my life without shame is important to me. It’s necessary—but it isn’t sufficient. Watching the diplomacy has been an education in itself, and I wouldn’t have missed the exploration for anything. But without something more, my career dead-ends in another two steps.”

He watched Kirk’s face anxiously, trying to read his expression. Finally Kirk looked up, and his voice carried an edge of coldness.

“I never would have thought Hunter would shanghai my crew—it is Aerfen you want to transfer to?”

“Yes, sir—but Captain Hunter said nothing to me of this! I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. My very first duty preference was for assignment to a fighter squadron, and it was only because the Enterprise ’s requirements took precedence over everything else that I was assigned here.” He was not sure that was the right thing to admit to Captain Kirk, but it was true. “I’ve discussed the possibility with one friend on board, but otherwise you’re the only person I’ve spoken to.” It would have been unethical to apply to Hunter first, and Sulu was rather hurt that Kirk assumed he had done so. “I know she’s lost two people in her crew, but I’m not under any illusions: there’s got to be a waiting list of volunteers for Aerfen . I don’t even know what positions need to be filled or whether I’d be suited to fill one. I have no way of knowing how she’ll react to my application even if you approve it.” He leaned forward earnestly. “Sir, I’ve never lied to you before, and I’m not about to start now. You can ask Captain Hunter if I’ve talked to her about this—she doesn’t seem to me to be the sort of person who would lie, either.”